Lessons from the Noble Qur’an (Lesson 9)

The Story of Qarun

Ibn Abbas (radhiAllahu anhu) says that Qarun was the cousin of
Musa (alayhis salam).

Qatadah said: He was called "An-Nur" (the light) for he had a

beautiful voice while reciting the Torah, but he became a hypocrite
and rejected Musa (alayhis salam) and disobeyed him. Thus, Qarun
was destroyed because of his transgression due to the wealth and
riches he had.

Shahr Ibn Haushab said: he used to drag his garments on the

ground out of pride and arrogance.

Allah Ta`ala has mentioned his story in detail in Surah Qasas. It

has been mentioned that his wealth and riches was so much that its
keys would have been too heavy for even a group of strong men to
carry. It was also said: the keys of his treasures were so many that
they used to be carried on sixty mules!

However, he was advised by the pious men from among his

people saying: do not be arrogant or conceited with riches, being
ungrateful to Allah Ta`ala. Enjoy your halal and good earnings but
don’t forget about the poor and needed. Share your wealth with them
also.

And do not harm the people regarding whom you were

commanded to do good. If you harm them, He will punish you and
take back what He has granted you. Verily, Allah likes not the
mischief makers and bullies.
 His answer to this good advice of his people was nothing but:
“All these riches have been given to me only because of the
knowledge I possess!” In other words, “I do not need what you have
said or referred to, as Allah only gave me this for He knew that I
deserve it. Also, if He did not love me, He would not grant or give
me this!”

However, Allah the Almighty rejected his statement saying:

Does he not know that Allah destroyed before him generations
because of their sins and bad deeds and they were stronger than
Qarun and they had more riches and children than him. So, if what
he said was true, We would not punish anyone of those who had
more riches than him and his wealth and riches would not be a proof
of Our love or care for him.

Allah Ta`ala says: So he went forth before his people showing

himself off with all his wealth and riches. Many interpreters mention
that he went forth before his people in great luxuries (servants,
clothes and riding animals). When those who were desirous of the
life of the world saw him, they wished to have the same and thought
to themselves "what a great fortune he has!"

When their statement reached the ears of the godly righteous men
they said to them: Woe to you! The Reward of Allah is better for
those who believe and do righteous good deeds, i.e. the Reward of
Allah in the Hereafter is better and higher than this.

Ibn Abbas said (radhiAllahu anhu) that Qarun gave an evil

woman a sum of money to accuse Musa (alayhis salam) of doing evil
actions while he was in front of his people. It is said that she did it
and consequently, Musa (alayhis salam) fell into sajdah and sought
Allah’s help and then said to her: By Allah! Tell me, who hired you to
do this?
 She said: It was Qarun who hired me to do that. Then, she asked
Allah's Forgiveness and repented to Him. Upon that, Musa (alayhis
salam) cursed Qarun. Allah the Almighty revealed to him that He has
subjugated the earth to obey him. Musa (alayhis salam) commanded
the earth to swallow up Qarun and his mansion saying: “O earth!
Take them! And it took them to their feet. Then again he said: Take
them! And it took them to their knees. Then again he said: Take
them! And it took them to their shoulders. Then again he said: O
earth! Bring their riches and treasures! They were brought till they
saw them, then Musa (Peace be upon him) pointed with his hand and
they also sank into the earth.

Allah Ta`ala says: So, We caused the earth to swallow him up and
his mansion. Then, he had no group or party to help him against
Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves.

Imam Bukhari narrates the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)

said: "While a man was walking, wearing a two-piece garment and
proud of himself (showing-off) with his hair well-combed, suddenly
Allah made him sink into the earth and he will go on sinking into it
till the Day of Resurrection. " (Sahih Bukhari)

It was narrated from Qatadah that he said: "They would sink into
the earth till the Day of Resurrection." Ibn Abbas (radhiAllahu anhu)
said: "They sank into the earth till they reached the the lowest portion
of the earth."

When the people saw what happened to Qarun and his treasures
of sinking into the earth and complete destruction, those who had
desired for money and position like his position the day before, felt
bad and thanked Allah Ta`ala and they said: “Had it not been that
Allah was kind to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us
up (also)! Know you not that the disbelievers will never be
successful?

Then, Allah the Almighty informs us that {That home of the

Hereafter}, i.e. Paradise is prepared only for those {who rebel not
against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do
mischief by committing crimes} and then He says: {And the good end
is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons)}.

Imam Ahmad, in his Musnad, reported that once the Prophet (alayhis
salam) remembered the prayer and said: "He who observes it
regularly and properly, it will be light, evidence and salvation for
him on the Day of Judgment. And, he who does not observe it
regularly and properly, there will neither be -for him -light, nor
evidence, nor salvation. And, on the Day of Resurrection, he will be
(gathered) with Qarun, Fir`aun , Haman and Ubaiy Ibn Khalaf".

Allah Ta`ala says:

Verily, Qarun was of Musa's people, but he behaved arrogantly

towards them. And We gave him so much treasures and wealth, that
the keys would have been difficult to carry by even a group of strong
men.

Remember when his people said to him: "Do not become

arrogant (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). Verily Allah likes
not those who are arrogant (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah).
But seek with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the
home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful
enjoyment in this world,' and do good as Allah has been good to you,
and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the
Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors,
tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters)."
 He answered: "This has been given to me only because of the
knowledge I possess."

Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him

generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater
in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the Mujrimun
(criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will not be questioned of
their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished
without being called to account).

So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were
desirous of the life of the world, said: "Ah, would that we had the like
of what Qarun has been given! Verily he is the owner of a great
fortune."

But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe
to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who
believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain
except those who are patient in following the truth.

So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place.

Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he
one of those who could save themselves. And those who had desired
(for a position like) his position the day before, began to say: "Don’t
you know that it is Allah Who increases provision or restricts it to
whomsoever He pleases of His slaves. Had it not been that Allah was
Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up
also! Don’t you know that the disbelievers will never be successful?"

That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall grant it to

those who do not go against the truth with pride and oppression in
the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is
for the pious and righteous persons. (Surah Qasas; 76-83)